I've come back to work today and am greeted by 3 emails from Haigh and it seems they followed it up very quickly.
Also on the previous weekend I had my dash out to install my new amp and sub I also took out the glove box's "roof cover' to check out the airbag module and it seems very solid on the part facing the the space above the glove box and seemed to confirmed the suspiscions of SIR-VRX and others here. So between the design of the outlander's dash, the workshop manual and a physical inspection it seems almost certain now that the air bag does deploy from the top of the dash.
Now here are the emails for you reading pleasure

I'll keep this thread updated if I receive any new information!
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From: Ken Shepherd
Sent: Tuesday, 14 April 2009 8:28 AM
To: Connor, Ryan M
Subject: dash mat
G’day Ryan,
Thanks for your information, we will attending to it today and will respond as soon as possible.
Regards
Ken Shepherd.
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From: Ken Shepherd [mailto:kens@haigh.com.au]
Sent: Wednesday, 15 April 2009 6:56 AM
To: Connor, Ryan M
Subject: dash mat
G’day Ryan,
We have not received any information on the question you raised as yet; I did however put a stop on sales until it is resolved.
Regards
Ken Shepherd
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From: Ken Shepherd [mailto:kens@haigh.com.au]
Sent: Thursday, 16 April 2009 9:18 AM
To: Connor, Ryan M
Subject: dash mat
G’day Ryan,
I have decided to make a change to the dash mat design and incorporate a flap in the air bag area, only because there has been no concrete information as to where the air bag deploys.
The design was in accordance with information given to us, now we have questioned this we are getting conflicting opinions .The original design allowed for the bag to deploy through the front panel, this meant the whole dash board would not have to be replace, which sounded logical as this is the practice many manufacturers follow. The other opinion is the bag deploys higher up on the dash, which would mean the whole dash would have to replace should the bag be activated.
While they follow up on our question I have changed the design, they are of the opinion the dash mat would not impede the operation of the air bag as it is, the velocity the bag deploys at is very high.
We are quite happy to supply you with a new design mat, if you forward me an address.
Regards
Ken Shepherd.